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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC 2016-10-27 minutes.pdf) City of Maple Ridge AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee, held in the Blaney Room, at Maple Ridge Municipal Hall on Thursday, October 27, 2016 at 7:00 pm. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Margaret Daskis, Chair Candace Gordon Ian Brooks Stephanie James, Vice-Chair Al Kozak Lorraine Bates Chris Zabek Councillor Speirs STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Siobhan Murphy Sunny Schiller GUESTS Pitt Meadows Agricultural Advisory Committee REGRETS/ABSENTS Tony Pellet Jennifer Zickerman Bill Hardy 1. CALL TO ORDER Member at Large Haney Farmers Market Society Member at Large Equestrian Agricultural Sector Agricultural Sector Agricultural Fair Board Regional Agrologist, Ministry of Agriculture & Lands City of Maple Ridge Staff Liaison/ Planning Department Committee Clerk Kate Zanon, Director of Community Services Committee Chair, Dieter Geesing, Ministry of Agriculture representative, Pitt Meadows Councillor Bruce Bell Agricultural Land Commission Agricultural Sector Member at Large The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:10 pm and introductions were made. Quorum was not achieved. It was decided to begin with Delegations. 4. DELEGATIONS 4.1 Pitt Meadows Agricultural Advisory Committee Pitt Meadows Agricultural Advisory Committee Chair Kate Zanon reported on the activities of the committee. Changes made by the Agricultural Land Commission allowing non-farming uses on farm land were discussed by both committees. Maple Ridge Agricultural Advisory Committee Chair Margaret Daskis provided an update on the current projects of the committee. Note: Councillor Speirs entered the meeting at 7:17 pm. Quorum was achieved at this time. ) AAC Minutes October 27, 2016 Page 2 of 4 2. AGENDA ADOPTION R16-021 It was moved and seconded That the Agenda be amended to add Item 5.5 Facilitated Agricultural Plan -Next Steps and Item 5.6 Soil Deposit Questionnaire and be adopted as amended. CARRIED 3. MINUTE APPROVAL R16-022 It was moved and seconded 5. That the Minutes of September 22, 2016 be corrected to show Chris Zabek as being present and be approved as corrected. CARRIED NEW & UNFINISHED BUSINESS 5.1 Backyard Chickens No update. 5.2 Metro Vancouver AAC Update The Chair reminded attendees the Metro Vancouver Water Forum is coming up on November 3rd· 5.3 Municipal Water Pricing No update. 5.4 Food Garden Contest The Staff Liaison shared the results of the 2016 Food Garden contest. A presentation was made to Council and contest winners at the October 25 Council meeting. 5.5 Facilitated Agricultural Plan -Next Steps The Staff Liaison provided background on the steps taken to identify priority goals and associated actions from the Agricultural Plan . Items selected for AAC action in 2017 include the preparation of Development Permit Area (DPA) guidelines to protect agricultural land and the exploration of the feasibility of an agro-industrial strategy (food hub). 5.6 Soil Deposit Bylaw Stephanie James explained that the City of Maple Ridge Soil Deposit bylaw is currently under review. An online questionnaire seeking feedback from the publ ic was reviewed by the Committee. 6. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS 6.1 Golden Harvest 2016 Subcommittee Update Candace Gordon provided a report on Golden Harvest 2016 and photos were displayed. The food was delicious and the work done by the high school students involved was praised. Preparations and attendance were negative impacted by bad weather. Local craft beer was included this year for the first time. Note: Kate Zanon left the meeting at 8:30 pm. ) AAC Minutes October 27, 2016 Page 3 of 4 7. 6.2 Education Subcommittee Al Kozak provided an update on the work of the education subcommittee and provided information on possible programs to assist small scale farmers suggested at the "Growing Agriculture in Maple Ridge" educational event. 6.3 True North Fraser Subcommittee The subcommittee will meet on October 28 to discuss implementation of the program. 6.4 Food Distribution Subcommittee Al Kozak reported the goal of the subcommittee is to determine the pros and cons of the possible solutions regarding food distribution by small scale farms, such as the development of a food hub or coop, expanding farmers markers and working with local businesses. The subcommittee will investigate the different options and make recommendations back to AAC. Food Distribution subcommittee members are Al Kozak, Jennifer Zickerman, Margaret Daskis, Stephanie James and Ian Brooks. The Staff Liaison will send out a meeting invitation for the subcommittee and Councillor Speirs to further develop the idea of a feasibility study. An offer to participate in the subcommittee was extended to the Pitt Meadows AAC. CORRESPONDENCE 7 .1 Jordyn Sonier Correspondence has been received from Jordyn Sonier advocating the increased use of native plant species in gardens and requested that this topic be raised at a future meeting. A letter of support and contact information for local community groups will be written by the Chair. It was suggested that Ms. Sonier be invited to make a presentation at a future meeting. 7.2 Haney Farmers Market Correspondence has been received from the Haney Farmers Market requesting the AAC write a letter of support for the Haney Farmers Market's application to Investment Agriculture's Grow Local BC program. R16-O23 It was moved and seconded That Haney Farmers Market's application to Investment Agriculture's Grow Local BC program be supported. CARRIED 8. ROUNDTABLE Candace Gordon has many activities going on in October, including tidying up the food asset inventory Al Kozak reported his bee hives were recently attacked by a bear. The bear also dragged a large barrel of sheep feed outside. Lorraine Bates reported the 2016 Agricultural Fair was very successful. Ms. Bates reported the Fair Board has discussed potential date conflicts with the PNE and that the local Countryfest dates will not be changing. Dieter Geesing thanked the Maple Ridge AAC for the invitation to attend the meeting. ) AAC Minutes October 27, 2016 Page 4 of 4 Councillor Bell appreciates the invitation to participate in the meeting. Councillor Speirs reported on the Mayor's trip to Ottawa to discuss the potential civic facility. 9. QUESTION PERIOD Students from Douglas College and Riverside Secondary attended the meeting as observers. A question about the number of farms in Maple Ridge was raised. 10. ADJOURNMENT It was moved and seconded That the meeting be adjourned at 9:25 pm. Chair